Grand prix dressage rider Lara Butler returns to the UK after greater than a 12 months at Van Olst Horses, as she prepares to take the following step in her profession and arrange independently.
The Brit moved to the Dutch yard in October 2024 – the place teammate Lottie Fry can be based mostly – following 14 years with the Bechtolsheimers. Laura Butler loved her largest profession highlights up to now throughout that interval, from being British crew reserve on Rubin Al Asad at three main championships to successful the nationwide title in 2018.
Reflecting on her time within the Netherlands, Lara stated the expertise had delivered precisely what she hoped for.
“It’s been actually good. I’ve discovered lots,” she stated. “It was all new to me, and I needed to be taught a very completely different system from what I used to be used to.
“However I believe the very best issues occur while you get pushed out of your consolation zone and get challenged.”
A significant distinction, she defined, was the amount of using.
“For me, it was much more using. I often trip round 10 to 12 horses a day, so you need to be far more disciplined together with your time,” she stated.
“The vary of horses is so large – from younger to previous, stronger to lighter ones – and also you adapt a lot extra due to that.”
She added that being immersed within the surroundings on the Van Olsts’ had been one other spotlight.
“Being across the coaching surroundings, particularly coaching with Lottie and Glamourdale, and being so near all of the worldwide reveals, soaking all that up has been wonderful.
“I really feel like I’ve received many extra instruments in my toolbox now. After I come again, I need to take the great bits from each the Bechtolsheimers and the Van Olsts and switch that into my very own system.”
Household issues additionally performed a key position in Lara Butler’s choice to return to the UK.
“I believe I’ve been in a little bit of a bubble, as a result of I’m within the steady and horse bubble,” she stated.
“My husband has needed to do the varsity runs and be the varsity dad, and my son’s been at a world college, so it’s been good for him to expertise a unique tradition. However we’re pleased to return dwelling – we miss household and buddies.”
She added that though the Netherlands is just not distant geographically, the gap was nonetheless felt.
“It isn’t too distant, nevertheless it’s far sufficient that you simply nonetheless miss out on issues.”
Lara Butler’s return to the UK: her fast plans
Lara will return to Laura Tomlinson’s base in Tetbury – Cranmore Farm, which Horse & Hound not too long ago visited for an Entry All Areas function – the place she can be renting seven stables.
She has beforehand described her choice to go away the UK for the problem within the Netherlands as “bittersweet”, and her return brings recent challenges of its personal, as Lara goals to construct a brand new string of horses from scratch.
“It’ll be good to be again in a well-recognized base, however out by myself this time,” she stated. “I’m hoping to have some coaching liveries and a few competitors liveries.”
Lara is because of return in March, and the brand new stables are set to be up and working in April.
“I believe I’m at a degree the place I’m prepared for it, and I ought to give it a go now,” she stated. “I’ve performed all the pieces I probably can to make it work – so now I’ve simply received to chunk the bullet and do it.”
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Oscar graduated from York St John College with a grasp’s diploma in Literature in 2021 and joined Horse & Hound in October 2023. Oscar labored for high dressage rider Emile Faurie for 4 years after ending an equine administration course in school. Below Emile’s tutelage, Oscar competed on the 2015 Nationwide Dressage Championships and travelled with Emile’s horses to CDIs at Aachen, Vidauban, Saumur and Achlieiten. Oscar continues to compete in dressage, alongside his day job.
